In 1963, about 2,000 people responded to the call of the leaders of the struggle for nature conservation and came to demonstrate in order to leave a large and green area in the heart of the north, the Carmel Park. Sixty years later and there is still no agenda for nature conservation in Haifa and public struggles are required to preserve Haifa's wetlands. For the restoration of streams, protection of trees against felling and against construction on any vacant hill.
Construction threats to the Carmel Park
Imagine the large park that stretches on the southern border of the city populated by tall buildings, dense neighborhoods and a small number of green corridors. Well, in the 30s plots of land in the park were already sold and there were plans to build and inhabit the place, but a long struggle succeeded in creating a different reality, which we all enjoy today.
The first 'greens'
It is quite possible that the demonstration that took place on Tu Beshevat in 1963 was the first "green" demonstration in Israel, and in any case the public pressure that provoked the elected officials to support the struggle led to the fact that all the private lands intended for construction in the enclaves of the park were expropriated and made available to the public as a national park. This is a story with a happy ending, About nature and environment organizations in their early days, who teamed up with visionary public figures who understood the importance of preserving nature and green spaces. Together, they led a justified fight against construction on private land whose fate was decided during the British period, in favor of a public natural space.
The 21st challenge
Until the visionaries arrive, here is a challenge you can set for yourself close to home and will make you realize how important it is to join the struggles aimed at preserving nature. The website of the Nature and Parks Authority you will find fascinating information about the history and heritage of Mount Carmel, as well as a detailed map of the 21 day and night campsites within its area. Following the map, we set out two years ago on a journey that was named "The 21st Challenge".
The journey took about seven months, during which we visited all the parking lots and walked all the paths leading out of them. Some of the parking lots we knew and some we hadn't even heard of before, but what's for sure - we were surprised every time to discover the green nature that is near the house.
A story for every parking lot
Each parking lot is unique and has its own story - monuments (Givat HaHagana parking lot and Yad Labanim parking lot), lookouts (the Rangers parking lot, Nof Hamafartz parking lot), archaeological findings (Khorest Ha'Arbaim parking lot), historical buildings (Havat Mishmar Ha'Carmel parking lot, Beit Hieran parking lot, HaShomer parking lot) ), seasonal blooms (Chalaniot parking lot, Talalim parking lot), burial caves (Rakit parking lot), defensive fortifications (the last fortress parking lot), water sources (Hagam parking lot) and especially walking trails (Shil Israel parking lot, Little Switzerland parking lot).
Time to stop the construction etc. the green nature that will not remain for future generations, what will only be heard by their cries
Just so you know... they want to destroy another beautiful piece of forest... another green lung... between the Ramat Alon neighborhood and Savioni Dania... ..to build more towers..high-rises..a road that will connect to Ramat Alon..concrete concrete concrete and the cutting of the forest...another pollution..catastrophe..join us in the fight against the destruction of this beautiful ancient forest....
The Carmel must be kept green and free of construction.
That's why you have to think carefully about what to put on the ballot. Not to give the voice to the mayor who will give a free hand to the saboteurs of the building to continue destroying the Carmel.
will allow
My uncle, who has not been alive for many years, did buy a plot of land with the promise that it would settle one day...
Not a word about the Druze who do whatever comes to their mind in the park, fencing, building without a permit, marking roads and much more!
With all due respect to the Druze and I am not being cynical about this, they do not have special rights in the parks even though some of them have land within the park, but the Jews also have such land and it does not occur to them to build on these lands. The excuse that they have nowhere to build and have no plans that allow construction is a lie. This is the third IBA that has been approved for the villages in Carmel whose main purpose is to whitewash illegal constructions within the boundaries of the park by expanding the area of the settlement! Don't tell stories about building to height?! It may be in the area of the city of Haifa, but not in the park lands or in private open spaces. Unfortunately, the Druze are the main and only enemy of the Carmel Park!
It is very important to keep Mount Carmel clean. Shabbat peace and blessings to you Inbal